Rough Water

Sanria sat under the tree in her garden with Orn in her arms. The baby squirmed and she finally put him down. He wrinkled his nose at the sensation of grass on his legs and as he swatted the grass, Sanria began to cry. The argument she had just finished with Colin was the worst they'd ever had. All she wanted was for him to let her take Orn with her back to Velentham's home. Colin wouldn't hear of it.

Every accusation that Sanria could think to hurl, she did. Bringing up his infidelity, his other family, his selfishness - but the truth was that by the time she threw him out of the house and retreated to the garden - she already felt terrible. Colin was a good father, a devoted father. He may have cheated on her and gotten another woman pregnant, but wasn't it all Sanria had wanted? For Co- lin to move on to someone else and leave her free?

Sanria let out a long sigh. She knew that Colin had no where to go. She knew, too, that he had just had a hell of an experience when he sought out Throm. Her rational mind seemed to speak to her - the cavern was the only home the man had. She wiped her face and lifted Orn to her arms as she stood. She called out to Colin and invited him back.

They passed the rest day speaking very little about the vicious argument over who would parent Orn. Only once the baby was finally in bed did Sanria and Colin talk. The death of their second child finally seemed to hit Sanria, and Colin held her as she cried. They talked about their misfortune, and prospect of being alone after years of always having someone. The conversation rounded once again to Sanria wanting to take Orn away, but this time there wasn't an argument. In fact, as the night turned into morning, they had become friends again the best way they knew how.

Psycho by the Falls (1-2)

The trip to Myth Drannor swirled into Claire's mind. 'I was very concerned with how you were able to slaughter so many of those demons without a second thought. It made me ques- tion so very much.' Claire looked to the table.

'Actually I only killed the ones that attacked us,' Psycho re- plied. 'There were many demons that paid no mind to us and we left them without the hungry aggressive demons.'

'You are right. Of course. I didn't consider it in that light... I feel much better about it.'

'Am I to believe you are a pacifist?' Psycho asked.

Claire lowered her eyes, this would probably be the moment he told her that the Radiant Heart didn't have a place for a pacifist. That she would have to look elsewhere for a home, but before anything could be said, a voice spoke from beside them, What is going on here?

Claire glanced over to see a Vectorian Enforcer staring down at their table. She reached over, slowly picking up her mask and slipped it onto her face. 'We are simply enjoying a cafe.'

'Nothing but friendly chatting,' Claire joined.

"I mean, why are there espers on my watch in Kefkaberg?"

Claire's heart thundered in her chest. Psycho leaned over in a quick whisper, 'If you wish to keep your pacifistic ways I suggest we leave.'

Claire stood up and nodded. 'Forgive us.'

'You are out of your league here officer, we will leave quietly.'

Before the Enforcer could say anything more, Claire followed Psycho out of the cafe. They walked through the western gates of the city and through the forests until the sound of a waterfall reached Claire's ears. She looked up as they stopped and smiled. They were before Sanria's home. 'This will be a more pleasant place to continue,' Psycho said.

'You have come to a familiar place,' Claire said as she took her mask off and lowered her cowl. 'Would you like to see something more wonderful?'

'Every day,' Psycho replied, and Claire took his hand in her own and pulled him around the waterfalls and into the Crystal Cavern. 'Amazing. I have come to that water fall for many many years. Never before have I seen inside of it'

'We can go back to the falls outside if you wish... I simply wanted to share this with you,' Claire said.

Claire watched as Psycho took in the crystals, his aura casting a slight red tint. At last they walked back outside and sat on the boulders. Psycho put a hand on hers. 'Claire ... please tell me the truth ... Why are there so many questions surrounding you... particularly with people following you and the involvement of The Long Death?'

'I... don't know,' Claire replied, and it was the truth. 'I promise you, I have had no contact or involvement with Long Death... I can't understand why Lithanus would have either... he seemed like a very nice young man.'

'I believe you,' Psycho replied.

'He needed help, and I offered what I could,' Claire looked into Psycho's eyes, hoping her explanation was enough, she had no other proof to give. 'I had no idea he was...'

Psycho put a finger to her lips, halting her speech. 'Let's talk about where you would see yourself in the coming future'

'I had hoped to see myself making a difference in the lives of the citizens of this place,' Claire said. They all seem so... Dejected... forlorn... They really need hope.'

'When we first spoke your focus was towards finding a place that fit to build family and support.'

'Indeed. I still seek that,' Claire said with a nod.

'I am one of the final barriers between your acceptance,' Psycho said. 'I want to make sure that my judgment is not clouded by emotion'

Claire did not place the pieces together. She only heard in her mind that she had done something wrong. 'If I've upset you, please... Tell me and I'll do my utmost to rectify it.'

'You have done very well, and it is not emotion from your actions. You have been a fine example of strength and virtue so far.'

'Then... what are your emotions stemming from?' Claire asked.

'Perhaps I said too much even at my mention of feelings for you. Not well thought out feelings of course.'

Claire could have been lifted to the very heavens on the slightest of winds in that very moment. Another esper, one so strong and bold, had feelings for her. 'I have made it a point not to make an advance, because I want to get to know you before the connection I feel to you influences any deci- sions I have to make.'

'I understand completely,' Claire said with a smile. 'In fact, it makes me admire you all the more.'

'Thank you for clearing up my questions with Lithanus and for showing me a new wonder to one of my favorite places.'

They stood and Psycho kissed her hand. He gave her a few lavender orchids. 'They're beautiful...' Claire said.

'They reminded me of you.' Psycho continued, 'I have not discounted your application even as a pacifist. Just know a quest will be more difficult for me to construct.'

'I look forward to it,' Claire replied.

Psycho vanished and Claire stood there by the falls, her cheeks on fire, her mind a blur, and a smile frozen to her face.

Questioned Motives

Claire walked into her inn room. She had managed to make ends meet by the charity given her from healings, but she was beginning to run low on money. If she didn't find more work that paid better soon, she was going to find herself back on the eastern continent. She sat on the bed with the Westbridge Post when a voice entered her thoughts, "Are you there Miss Lavender?"

Claire met with Psycho at Annie's, her mask and cowl up to keep her identity from any Vectorian patrolling the area. It thrilled her to see him again, she couldn't help but admire the esper for his brazen display of his own self. The meeting, however, was not to wax poetic, but to discuss Lithanus. Psycho had heard that he was in league with The Long Death, a fact that Claire found utterly astonishing.

'How do you know these men and their intentions?' Psycho asked.

'Lithanus we met as he ran into the temple of Lathander. He had a friend he had lost, the lady we went to locate in Myth Drannor. We offered to help him find her, and eventually we did. Outside of that, we know little of him. He had planned to go back to his homeland, but I've not seen him in many days now.' Claire removed her mask.

'So you have no relation with the party other than coinci- dence?' Psycho asked.

Claire knew how it must look - she had applied for admission into Radiant Heart and offered help to Lithanus who happened to be linked up with a woman named Maya of The Long Death - the sworn opposition of everything she wanted to be part of. Lithanus apparently had more than a case of homesickness, but of loose-lip-ness. Why he would impart all their doings to a woman who believed that death was a positive thing was be- yond her. And now, it looked as if she was in league with him all along. It frustrated Claire.

'Is there anything wrong?' Psycho asked. 'Something has seemed amiss since our first encounter. I am drawn to you and tru- ly wish to help you.'

Speak now, her mind pushed, or forever hold your peace...